GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a deadly shooting involving a police officer in Gwinnett County.
Channel 2 Action News confirmed an officer shot Albert Lee Hughes, 47, inside a Wendy’s on Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville.
Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Tony Thomas learned it all started when Hughes walked into the Wendy’s holding a beer.
Officials said Hughes sat down in the restaurant and refused to leave. Moments later, police were called.
When officers arrived at Wendy’s, officials said a confrontation ensued and chairs started to be thrown.
“The guy automatically grabbed a chair, and before you know it, you had the cop on the ground,” witness Jose Fraire said.
At one point, witnesses said, an officer used a Taser on Hughes. When the Taser didn’t subdue him, witnesses said an officer gave several more warnings before Hughes was shot in the chest.
“The officer discharged the weapon twice. The man wouldn’t stop, tried to hit him again and then the officer discharged it a third time,” witness Derrek Williams said.
Williams said he was sitting inside the restaurant just feet away from the man.
“I actually heard the man scream,” Williams said.
While Hughes was taken to the hospital, customers believe it was a miracle they weren’t hurt, too.
“I think tonight I received a lot of protection from God in that regard, so I really give thanks to God and the police officers and the first responders,” Williams said.
Thursday morning the GBI said Hughes had died.
The officer involved was also taken to the hospital. We’re told his injuries are not serious.
The shooting is the third officer-involved shooting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to investigate in 2020.
Wendy’s released the following statement Thursday morning about the shooting:
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they work through this situation.”
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